Is Antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol) Toxic to Dogs?
Emergency🚨 Dangerous — act now
The deadliest common garage chemical — antifreeze tastes sweet, a few tablespoons can kill, and the treatment window is only hours.
Ethylene glycol is the poison vets dread: dogs lap it willingly from driveway puddles, early signs mimic drunkenness and then deceptively improve, while metabolites silently crystallize the kidneys. By the time kidney failure shows (36–72h), it's often too late — but treated within the first few hours, the antidote is highly effective. There is no 'wait and see' with antifreeze.
What makes it dangerous: Ethylene glycol → calcium oxalate crystal kidney destruction
Symptoms to watch for
- Stumbling, 'drunk' behavior (30min–12h)
- Excessive thirst and urination
- Vomiting
- Apparent recovery, then collapse
- Kidney failure (1–3 days)
What to do right now
- Go to an emergency vet NOW — minutes count, don't call around first
- If you saw the puddle, note the product; pet-safer propylene glycol coolants exist but assume the worst
- Clean any garage/driveway spills immediately (before dogs find them)
Sources: Pet Poison Helpline · Merck Veterinary Manual. Educational reference — not veterinary advice.